Fishing device

Abstract

A fishing bobber may include an elongate shaft having a first end, an opposing second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, a line retainer disposed at the first end, a counterweight float disposed proximate the second end, and an axially movable primary float disposed on the elongate shaft between the first end and the second end.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fishing bobber having a center of mass, comprising:
 an elongate shaft having a first end, an opposing second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; 
 an aperture at the first end configured to engage a fishing line; 
 a counterweight float disposed proximate the second end and fixedly attached to the elongate shaft; and 
 an axially movable primary float disposed on the elongate shaft between the first end and the second end; 
 wherein the primary float defines a pivot axis extending therethrough perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
       2. The fishing bobber of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate shaft includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion defined as being between the first end and the primary float and the second portion defined as being between the second end and the primary float. 
     
     
       3. The fishing bobber of  claim 1 , wherein the counterweight float is buoyant in water. 
     
     
       4. The fishing bobber of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot axis is axially movable along the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
       5. The fishing bobber of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate shaft is configured to rotate about the pivot axis between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position. 
     
     
       6. The fishing bobber of  claim 5 , wherein the elongate shaft is configured to rotate about the pivot axis in response to a force applied at the first end. 
     
     
       7. The fishing bobber of  claim 6 , wherein the second end of the elongate shaft rotates upward as the elongate shaft moves from the generally horizontal position to the generally vertical position. 
     
     
       8. The fishing bobber of  claim 6 , wherein axially moving the primary float along the elongate shaft closer to the counterweight float reduces the force applied at the first end required to rotate the elongate shaft about the pivot axis to the generally vertical position. 
     
     
       9. The fishing bobber of  claim 1 , wherein the primary float is slidably disposed on the elongate shaft. 
     
     
       10. The fishing bobber of  claim 1 , wherein the primary float is rotatably disposed on the elongate shaft. 
     
     
       11. The fishing bobber of  claim 10 , wherein the elongate shaft is threaded. 
     
     
       12. The fishing bobber of  claim 1 , wherein axially moving the primary float along the elongate shaft shifts the pivot axis along the longitudinal axis relative to a center of mass of the fishing bobber. 
     
     
       13. The fishing bobber of  claim 12 , wherein axially moving the primary float closer to the center of mass increases sensitivity of the fishing bobber to a strike by a fish. 
     
     
       14. The fishing bobber of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate shaft, the counterweight float, and the primary float cooperate to eliminate buoyancy in indicating a strike on a fishing line engaged with the aperture. 
     
     
       15. A fishing bobber, comprising:
 an elongate shaft having a first end and a counterweight float fixedly attached thereto at an opposing second end; and 
 a pivot float sized to support a bait or lure attached to a fishing line engaged with the elongate shaft, the pivot float defining a pivot axis movable along the elongate shaft; 
 wherein the pivot float defines a first portion of the elongate shaft between the first end and the pivot float and a second portion of the elongate shaft between the second end and the pivot float, further wherein the first portion is longer than the second portion; 
 wherein the counterweight float is sized and weighted to cooperate with the pivot float to offset a combined weight of the first portion of the elongate shaft and the bait or lure when situated in water, thereby establishing a center of mass at the pivot axis, 
 wherein the primary float defines a pivot axis extending therethrough perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
       16. The fishing bobber of  claim 15 , wherein, when situated on a surface of the water, the pivot float has a first maximum radial extent measured from the elongate shaft in a direction normal to the surface of the water and the counterweight float has a second maximum radial extent measured from the elongate shaft in a direction normal to the surface of the water;
 wherein the second maximum radial extent is greater than the first maximum radial extent. 
 
     
     
       17. The fishing bobber of  claim 15 , wherein when situated on a surface of the water, the second end is positioned an equal or greater distance above the surface of the water than the pivot axis. 
     
     
       18. The fishing bobber of  claim 17 , wherein, when situated on a surface of the water, the first end is positioned at or below the surface of the water and the second end is positioned above the surface of the water.